Recently, Henan, Shandong and other places have ushered in rain and snow weather, such as blizzard, freezing rain and granular light snow. These weather phenomena do feel novel to a certain extent and have given rise to humorous nicknames, such as being jokingly referred to as "desiccant" or "laundry detergent".
Freezing rain, sleet, ice particles, hail, and graupel are all different types of precipitation that differ in terms of formation, composition, and impact.
1.Freezing rain: Freezing rain refers to the situation in which precipitation falls in liquid form and freezes rapidly on contact with objects such as ground, trees, and buildings when the ground temperature is below 0 degrees. Freezing rain usually has a small amount of precipitation, but it makes it difficult and dangerous for traffic and pedestrians to walk because it can freeze surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and bridges.
2.Sleet: Sleet refers to a weather phenomenon in which rain and snow fall occur at the same time. When the air temperature is higher than 0 degrees, the precipitation is rain; When the air temperature is below 0 degrees, the precipitation is snow. Sleet has less precipitation, but due to the combined effect of snow and rain, it can make roads and sidewalks slippery, increasing the risk of driving and pedestrians.
3.Ice particles: Ice particles are Xiaoice blocks that are about 5 mm in diameter and are usually formed by the condensation of water droplets in clouds. Ice particles usually have less precipitation, but because they are heavier than raindrops or snowflakes, they can cause damage to vehicles and buildings, among other things.
4.Hail: Hail refers to hard ice balls with a diameter of more than 5 mm and a maximum of about 10 cm, usually formed by the rapid condensation of water droplets in clouds due to strong updrafts. Hail has a large amount of precipitation and can cause serious damage to houses, vehicles, crops, etc.
5.Graupel: Graupel, also known as ice particles, refers to a form of precipitation that sits between ice particles and snowflakes. Graupel snow is usually formed by the combined action of water droplets and ice crystals in clouds, and its precipitation is small, but it can make the road surface slippery, increasing the risk of driving and pedestrians.
Overall, these different types of precipitation can have impacts and challenges on transportation, power systems, and livelihoods. When encountering these weather phenomena, we need to pay close attention to the weather forecast and related notices, and take appropriate precautions to ensure personal safety and normal life.